Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/130



He Argument of this Book is the Spring and Pressure of the Air, together with some Considerations touching the Weight and pressure of Water, as also concerning a Vacuum, the effects of Pumps; item Pendulums, Hydroscopes &c.

Whether the Doctrine or Experiments, here deliver'd, be new and unheard of (as the Author is pleased to think, they for the most part are) we leave to the well-read and Intelligent to Judge. Only we find ourselves obliged to take notice that that excellent Treatise of the Honorable Robert Boyle, entitled, New Experiments Physico-Mechanicall, touching the Spring of the Air and its Effects, was printed two years before that time, about which the Author of this Book saith, in his Preface to the Reader, became to London, and there committed his then un-printed papers to the Censure of the Philosophical Colledg there, meaning the Royall Society, of whom he complains in the said Preface', pag. 2. that he expected an Answer from them for almost two years in vain, adding, that he afterwards found, in divers Books printed in English, many things taken out of his Manuscript.

But to undeceive the Reader in this particular, we shall first desire him, to compare the date of the Edition of Mr Boyles Book above-mentioned with that of the Time of this Authors visiting London, and there exposing his Manuscript; that done, it will easily appeare, which party hath the priority in the Explication of this Doctrine touching the Air: wherein must not be left un-mentioned, that Mr Sinclair, when he was in London, in his visits of Mr. Boyle discoursed much with him on that subject, and by his own acknowledgment, then made to that Gentleman, recieved much light from him concerning the same. Secondly, we shall take notice, that 'tis so great a mistake, that this Author commended his Manuscript to the Judgment of the R. Society, that 'tis not so much as mention'd any